Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary apology in the early hours of Saturday morning for a lewd video in which he discusses "grabbing (women) by the p----" and states that “when you’re a star, they let you do it”.

The Republican presidential candidate "pledged to be a better man" in the late night video address. But he added that former president Bill Clinton, the husband of his Democratic rival, "actually abused women" and that Hillary Clinton bullied her husband's victims.

The video apology came hours after The Washington Post posted a video from 2005 in which Mr Trump brags about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women who were not his wife.

"I've said and done things I regret, and the words released today on this more than a decade-old video are one of them," Mr Trump said in the statement. He ended by saying: "See you at the debate on Sunday."

Several leading Republicans rounded on rounded on their presidential candidate following the emergence of the video.

Paul Ryan, the House speaker and most senior elected Republican, called Mr Trump's comments "sickening" and banned him from a Republican campaign event in Wisconsin on Saturday.

Reince Preibus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said: "No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever."

Trump defiant as he issues apology in videotaped statement

Mr Trump combined contrition and defiance as he apologised for the lewd remarks which were caught on the video.

“I have never said I was a perfect person nor pretended to be someone I am not. I have said and done things I regret and the words released today on this more than a decade old video are one of them Anyone who knows me knows these words do not reflect who I am. I said it I was wrong and I apologise.”

He added that his travels around the United States had changed him,

Donald TrumpCredit:
Mandel Ngan

“I pledge to be a better man tomorrow and will never ever let you down," he added before rounding on his opponents.

“Let’s be honest we are living in the real world this is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we are facing today.”

Rounding on the Clintons, he added. "I have said some foolish things, but there is a big difference between the words and actions of other people.

"Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days, see you at the debate on Sunday."

More Republican support evaporates for Mr Trump

Jason Chaffetz, the Republican congressman from Utah who led the House of Representatives pursuit of Hillary Clinton, has withdrawn his backing for Mr Trump.

"I am out. There is no way I can vote for Donald Trump," he said. "That was not an apology, that was an apology for getting caught. I am not going to put my good name and my family behind Donald Trump for president."

Will the lewd video controversy finally derail presidential campaign?

It is now surely inconceivable that Donald Trump can be elected President of the United States of America.

His problem with female voters - which was already significant before Friday evening - just got worse. Much, much worse. Male voters will also be repulsed by the video, it should be noted.

His inability to attract support among women in anything like the numbers needed to win the night - Mrs Clinton leads 58 per cent to Mr Trump's 35 per cent among female voters - has increased with every sexism row that has blighted his campaign.

Tim Kaine: do Republican officials still back Trump?

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine has said Republican officials who support Donald Trump ought to be asked if they still do.

Kaine told Democratic volunteers in Phoenix that the numerous controversies that sprang up on Friday should require GOP leaders to say whether they still believe Mr Trump is qualified to be president.

Mr Trump's campaign was reeling after shockingly crude comments he made about women in 2005 became public. His comments have drawn swift rebukes from key Republicans, but none has pulled support from Mr Trump - yet.

Donald's comments were vulgar, egregious & impossible to justify.No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private.

Republican Utah governor withdraws support from Trump

John McCain: "He alone should suffer the consequences."

The 2008 Republican presidential candidate has issued at statement in which he does not withdraw his support from Mr Trump - but is damning:

There are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive and demeaning comments. No woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behavior. He alone bears the burden of his conduct and alone should suffer the consequences.

Paul Ryan 'sickened'

The top elected Republican official said he was "sickened" by the lewd and misogynistic comments , banning him from a political event in Wisconsin.

"I am sickened by what I heard today. Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests.

Billy Bush, Donald Trump and Arianne ZuckerCredit:
Washington Post

"In the meantime, he is no longer attending tomorrow's event in Wisconsin," he added, referring to a Republican Fall Fest in the town of Elkhorn that Mr Trump had been scheduled to attend with Mr Ryan and other top Republican elected officials from the state.